PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ken Tanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taras Shevchenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ken Tanaka could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Taras Shevchenko's chin.

Tanaka
vs
Shevchenko

200 cm
24
300 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

190 cm
28
265 lbs
23 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Aspire Clothing
Sully's Bar & Grill

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ken Tanaka!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Taras Shevchenko!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Atkins and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tanaka takes a swing at Shevchenko's ribcage but misses.
A swing and a miss from Tanaka.
Shevchenko unleashes a big counter combination but Tanaka bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Tanaka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tanaka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shevchenko is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Tanaka misses with a hook.
Shevchenko drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tanaka defends it well.
Tanaka throws a hook to the side of Shevchenko's head but Shevchenko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Tanaka lands with an uppercut that bounces Shevchenko off the cage and back into range.

It looks like Taras Shevchenko has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shevchenko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Tanaka but Tanaka pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Shevchenko shoots in but Tanaka avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tanaka misses with a straight left.
Ken Tanaka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tanaka connects with a body shot.
Shevchenko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tanaka misses with a straight right.
Shevchenko looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Tanaka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shevchenko manages to avoid it.
Shevchenko is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Tanaka feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Shevchenkos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Tanaka looks to score with a jab to the body but Shevchenko is just out of range.
Ken Tanaka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shevchenko misses with a takedown attempt
and Tanaka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ken Tanaka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taras Shevchenko.
Nice uppercut there from Tanaka.
Shevchenko goes for a double leg but Tanaka avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Tanaka continues to drive forward.
Tanaka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shevchenko moves away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Shevchenko.
Tanaka loads up on a big right hand but Shevchenko slips the punch.
A little jabbing left from Shevchenko on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Shevchenko with a poor takedown
and Tanaka counters with a nice uppercut.

That has opened up Taras Shevchenko's cut even more.
Shevchenko shoots in for a takedown but Tanaka shows good takedown defense.
Tanaka is looking to counter punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Tanaka misses the target.
Shevchenko tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Shevchenko defending well as Tanaka loads up on a big left hand.
Shevchenko swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Shevchenko with a poor takedown
and Tanaka counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Shevchenko slips a jab from Tanaka.
Tanaka lands a right hook to the body.
Tanaka fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Shevchenko looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tanaka connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Tanaka lands with a right hand.
Shevchenko takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

The cut above Taras Shevchenko's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shevchenko shoots in looking for a takedown but Tanaka manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Shevchenko's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tanaka lands with a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tanaka scores with a body shot.
Tanaka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shevchenko moves away.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tanaka.

Taras Shevchenko's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.

Tanaka drops Shevchenko with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Shevchenko looks back up at him and smiles so Tanaka waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

Shevchenko is rocked!

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Taras Shevchenko's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:54 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Ken Tanaka!
Ken Tanaka retains his super heavyweight title!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Ken Tanaka waved his t-shirt featuring Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)'s logo in front of the cameras.